311. Trick 'r Treat

 

TRICK 'R TREAT

Cert 15

82 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong horror, gore, sex, nudity, violence, discrimination

I dread this time of year because we see children begging in the streets and cinemas festooned with vapid horror films.

However, I can report that Trick 'r Treat, which I missed (probably deliberately) on its first release, is a superior contribution to the genre.

And, mercifully, it is only 82 minutes long.

Following a gory prelude and Hitchcockian opening titles, Michael Dougherty's film is a collection of parallel shorts which are interwoven at its finale.

The first is focused on a widowed headteacher (Dylan Baker) who has murder on his mind as kids come to his house asking for treats on Hallowe'en.

This is followed by the ghoulish tale of a school bus crash at a nearby quarry where a teenager (Britt McKillip) tells the tale with gusto.

The action then switches two four party-going friends and the prospects of virginal Laurie (Anna Paquin) in her Little Red Riding Hood outfit.

And then there is a miserable neighbour (Brian Cox) whose house becomes the target of an eerie child spirit.

In themselves, the stories are reasonably engaging and, in each case, their denouement is smart and the manner in which they tie together is especially clever.

I am likely to watch a fair few horror movies around Hallowe'en and this may well be the best of them.

Reasons to watch: Superior Hallowe'en movie

Reasons to avoid: Lots of gore

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: Lots

Nudity: Yes

Overall rating: 6.5/10

Did you know? As early as the 16th century, it was customary in England for those who were poor to go begging on All Souls’ Day and children eventually took over the custom. At the time, it was popular to give children cakes with crosses on top called “soul cakes” in exchange for prayers on your behalf.

The final word. Mike Dougherty on Trick 'r Treat's theatrical release - 15 years on: " I remember getting the bad news back in 2008 that we were just sending it to home video. Of course, I was heartbroken, because we were still holding out hope maybe it would get a theatrical release." Nerdist

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